t the question of racism also arises. In the 1972, Supreme Court Case: Furman vs. Georgia...the appeal of Furman's sentence claimed that Georgia violated the 8th amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) because Georgia had not applied the death penalty fairly. Statistics show that in Georgia black males who committed murder were executed far more frequently than white males were, even though they were not committing most of the crimes.
             Capital punishment dates back to the times of almost all ancient civilizations such as Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. It was issued for misconduct in the "sale of beer by the Code of Hammurabi, for idolatry by the law of the ancient Hebrews, for accidentally sitting on the king's throne by Persian Law, for sacrilege by Greek law in the days of Pericles, and for stealing the keys to one's husbands wine cellar by the laws of the early Roman republic (Encyclopedia Americana)." Ancient methods of carrying out capital punishment were extremely barbaric and gruesome.
             The Bible is also known to deal with the issue in the Torah ( first five books). Many Christians are divided on this issue as well, with some following the Old Testament law of capital punishment and others choosing the "gentler" side of the Bible--the New Testament--as the basis for their opposition to this law. (Christ Unlimited Ministries). The Hebrew culture also used the death penalty in the form of retaliation against criminals. The retaliation was intended to be proportional to the crime (Capital Punishment). "An eye for an eye" is commonly associated with this principle. Clearly, the most recognizable act of capital punishment known to man is found in the New Testament – the nailing of our Lord to the cross. It is an example of an innocent man wrongfully killed. This is perhaps the greatest argument an abolitionist can provide.
             Vlad Draucul, rule...